Darktable has released version 5.4.0 of its free and open-source photography workflow application. This update is the result of contributions from over 996 community members, showcasing extensive development efforts. Notable enhancements in this version include the introduction of the Capture Sharpening module, which aims to recover detail lost due to blur from in-camera processing, as well as a new tone mapper inspired by Blender's AgX display transform. This new tool offers greater control over exposure settings and tone curve adjustments, promoting a more film-like color representation in highlights while preserving natural hues in other areas.
Additionally, Darktable 5.4.0 supports multiple workspaces, allowing users to create distinct environments with separate databases and configurations. The release also includes several user interface improvements, such as better ICC profile handling on Wayland systems and a more responsive experience during view changes. Performance upgrades are significant, with speed improvements of up to 20% in the Lut3D module and faster metadata handling during startup.
The update addresses numerous known bugs, including issues with hierarchical style management and export module functionality. The Lua API has been enhanced to allow for better event handling and scripting capabilities, while the platform support has shifted to drop Intel Macs and macOS versions below 14.0.
Camera compatibility has also been expanded, with new support for models including the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R1, along with updates for over 40 camera models. Users are encouraged to contribute to documentation updates, as the release still requires community input to fill in gaps.
In summary, Darktable 5.4.0 represents a significant advancement in both functionality and performance, reaffirming its commitment to providing robust tools for photographers. The focus on community-driven development and continuous improvement positions Darktable as a leading choice among open-source photography applications.
To fully utilize the new features and camera support, users are advised to ensure their systems have LibRaw v0.22-PreRC1 or later installed. The release is now available for download on the official Darktable repository
Additionally, Darktable 5.4.0 supports multiple workspaces, allowing users to create distinct environments with separate databases and configurations. The release also includes several user interface improvements, such as better ICC profile handling on Wayland systems and a more responsive experience during view changes. Performance upgrades are significant, with speed improvements of up to 20% in the Lut3D module and faster metadata handling during startup.
The update addresses numerous known bugs, including issues with hierarchical style management and export module functionality. The Lua API has been enhanced to allow for better event handling and scripting capabilities, while the platform support has shifted to drop Intel Macs and macOS versions below 14.0.
Camera compatibility has also been expanded, with new support for models including the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R1, along with updates for over 40 camera models. Users are encouraged to contribute to documentation updates, as the release still requires community input to fill in gaps.
In summary, Darktable 5.4.0 represents a significant advancement in both functionality and performance, reaffirming its commitment to providing robust tools for photographers. The focus on community-driven development and continuous improvement positions Darktable as a leading choice among open-source photography applications.
To fully utilize the new features and camera support, users are advised to ensure their systems have LibRaw v0.22-PreRC1 or later installed. The release is now available for download on the official Darktable repository
Darktable 5.4.0 released
Darktable 5.4.0 is now available as a free and open-source update, featuring contributions from over 996 community members through extensive development. The release includes significant improvements such as the Capture Sharpening module for recovering lost detail due to blur, a new tone mapper with detailed controls, and multiple workspace support. Performance-wise, Darktable has seen notable gains, including speed-ups up to 20% in the Lut3D module and faster handling of large metadata reads during startup.
